Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Another playtest session of 100 Dice yesterday evening chez moi.
I played with my friend Luciano and Andrea came to see the last version of the rules (2.1).
It was a fruitful game session: I found a couple of rules that I will modify, but the overall result is very good.
In two hours I was able to explain the rules and we played a battle to completion (Luciano won a marginal victory). Below a picture of the table just before battle.

I used an old board I made for another game, adding my new wooden hexagons for woods, swamps and broken terrain. We played a SYW scenario (French Vs. Prussians). At the top of the picture you can see the 2 cups (each with 100 dice) and between them the discard box for the "burned" dice.
More playtest sessions will follow, as I'd like to finish the rules during summer holidays.

Sunday, July 28, 2013

While I'm still stuck with Drums & Tricornes Combat System (and choice between linear and "squared" terrain) I decided to "close" the 100 Dice project my introductory miniature battle system from Antiquity to Musket Era.
In version 2.0 I changed the combat system and trimmed many rules, aiming at simplicity. I also introduced a new phase (Exploitation) that should give further depth to the game and a more historical flavor to certain units (like light cavalry).
Within a couple of days I should be able to have a final version of the written rules, in the meantime I'm testing them extensively.
And now, straight from the rules, some pics describing 100 Die.

Terrain hexes. Top, from left
to right: clear, broken, wood, swamp. Bottom, left to right: a 2 level hill and
a wood hex with “detached” trees to accommodate a light infantry unit (1 base).

Top, left to right: Cavalry in
March Formation, Cavalry in Combat Formation, Infantry in March, Infantry in
Combat. Bottom, left to right: a Leader, the CinC, an Artillery unit and (in a
swamp) a Light Infantry unit.

The unit is in Combat
formation: the green marked hexes are its FRONT, the yellow ones are its
FLANKS, and the red ones are its REAR.

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Few months ago, I decided to have some small Napoleonic Armies in 10mm. Therefore I contacted my "usual" supplier of painted miniatures (Stonewall Miniatures) and a new one: Fernando Enterprises. So I placed the order to Fernando in mid may, and when I met Mark (owner of Stonewall miniatures) during the S.Marino Convention in may, I gave him a few packs of Austrian Infantry (Old Glory) to paint. Mark did his job quickly and half of the Austrian Army is now waiting to be based in my worshop.
A couple of days ago, I received my French Army from Sri Lanka (about 1300 figures) and this evening I could not resist to see how an entire Battalion (about 700 soldiers) would look on the table...

And here it is (I was really impressed): 720 soldiers in line on 3 ranks, with Grenadiers on the right and Voltigeurs on the left, drums beating and colors flying.

The Battalion in line from another point of view. It's 36 inches wide...

A few close-up: the Grenadier company..

Two centre companies, with the Flags/fanions in the middle and the Battalion Commander right behind the centre...

...and finally the left flank with the Voltigeurs, ready to be deployed as skirmishers if need arises.
After visualizing the line, I deployed the same battalion in close column.

And here it is, with part of the Voltigeurs deployed in front. The Commander now leads the column, with the flags (that I have to paint) right behind him. Below, a close-up on the middle of the column formation.

I must say I am extremely satisfied with the quality of the painting of Fernando Enterprises, and also by their quick delivery (less than two months for painting all the above plus the Cavalry (Cuirassiers, Dragoons and Hussars), Generals and 50 Artillery crew, for a total of 1228 figures. As soon as Mark will deliver the Cavalry and Artillery, I'll also post pictures of the Austrians.

Monday, July 15, 2013

Hotel booked, tickets bought!
From 4 to 9 September I'll be in Koper to follow the preliminary Round of the EuroBasket 2013. Italy has a tough Group (Russia, Turkey, Greece, Sweden and Finland), but I'm confident that our team is competitive this time, lead by 3 of our 4 NBA players (Bargnani, Belinelli and Datome).